When the time comes to replace the anode rod in your Suburban Hot Water System, please note the type of thread on the anode rod. Genuine Suburban anode rods art NPT (National Pipe Thread). Be aware that whilst it may seem that BSP (British Standard Thread) anode rods (commonly seen in the Australian market place to suit household/domestic type units) will fit, they will cause damage to the fitting on the tank as they require some force to install tightly. NPT and BSP threads are not compatible with each other – the tread ptch is at different angles. Using a BSP anode rod inside a Suburban Hot Water System will cause the seal to be inneffective by smoothing out the pitch in the female NPT. The result could be costly. An engineer may have to be called to re-tap the pitch or rust may develop caused by leakage – in this instance a new hot water system would need to be purchased.
We recommend always using Suburban anode rods in Suburban hot water systems.